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Polish customs officials seize record haul of illegal cigarettes from Belarus

22.02.2021 12:00
Polish customs officials say they have seized a record haul of illegal cigarettes from Belarus in a joint raid with border guards.
Photo:
Photo:gov.pl/National Revenue Administration (KAS)

The operation saw investigators confiscate 1.8 million packs of contraband cigarettes worth around PLN 27.6 million (EUR 6 million, USD 7.4 million), public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported on Monday.

The contraband was found in two trucks that entered Poland through its eastern border with Belarus.


Law enforcers have detained three suspects, aged 19, 21 and 55, who face up to 10 years in prison if convicted, the IAR new agency reported.

The crackdown saved public coffers some PLN 44.8 million (EUR 10 million, USD 12 million) in losses from uncollected excise tax, according to officials.

(gs/pk)

Source: IAR, gov.pl